what a synth. discrete oscillators controlled by an intel chip, so i guess technically it's DCO. doesn't matter though. this thing sounds great. throw some reverb on it and the dirty character is supplanted with some lushness. perfect. fast envelopes. extensive lfo modulation. the best user interface i have used. superb build quality. highly underrated and cheap. got mine for $250 and it's fucking mint. if you can find one in good shape, just get it- i would pay up to $450 for one if mine were lost or stolen.

wheeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rating: 5 out of 5
posted Friday-Apr-30-2004 at 11:27

TR loves his AX-80
a part-time user
from Midwestern USA
writes:

The AX-80 was my first synth, and I have had mine for 20 years (and I still have the original manual and cassette with the factory presets on it, that came with it). I never liked the presets, but have made some beautiful sounds with (some nasty and some ugly sounds as well).

I had to have two of the chips replace about six months ago and had to have some of the buttons under the membrane fixed, but it was not that expensive and worth it to me. Also, I found a source on ebay that had the chips and bought quite a few in case I need to replace anymore.

I love the blue and orange screen. It gives off a wonderful glow on a stage and with the lights turned down in a studio.

I just also twisting the data input knob while tinkering with the levels on the oscillators and the suboscillator. Instant gratification at its best!

I have played this live, but have taken great care of this synth. In return it has given me much joy.

I have been offered good money for this synth and few times, but since it is my first, I will never part with it. If you can find one in decent shape, buy it. I do not think you will be sorry.

Rating: 4 out of 5
posted Thursday-Mar-18-2004 at 18:03

alexp
a hobbyist user
from england
writes:

i'm looking for a owners manual for my ax80, can anyone help?

i've had mine a couple of weeks, and think it's great.. you can get some really interesting sounds out of this machine.

Rating: 5 out of 5
posted Tuesday-Dec-23-2003 at 22:37

steve
a hobbyist user
from USA
writes:

I picked up an AX80 way back in the 80s and I still have it. I wasn't that impressed with it then but now I see the real beauty. Presets suck but once you tinker with it, it generates some great bass sounds (kinda Moog-ish), decent polysynths, really cool f/x, and decent organs. Strings become too bright to use, bells are very "twangy". If you tweak things wrong, you'll get some ear-piercing sounds. As someone said on here, very different sound.. almost comparable to a PPG wave.